Tire-making machine



ou. 13; 192s. i, 1, 1556969 ggcxgsEREcKELS ET AL. "NMREJAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29. 1918 7 Sheets-'Sheet' 1 occ. 13,1925. 1 Y1,556,969

y C. SPRECKELS ET AL TIRE IAKING CHINE Filed NQV. 29. 1918 7 Sh0ts-$hggg 2 me@ Amr/w.

oa. 13, 1925. l 1,556,969

c. sPREcKELs E1' AL TIRE MAKING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29. 1918 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Uff/f" Aff/amava Oct. 13,1925- I 1.556.959

c. sPnscKELs s1' n.

'ma hmmm mmm:

Filed Nov. 29, 19,18 7 Sheets-Shut 4 Oct. 13 1925- 1.556.969

c. SPRLECKELS ETAL uns hxxmiucnnis 7716/1 Afin/way,

Oct. 13, l925- l 1,556,969

c. s PREcKl-:Ls sr AL 'mln muss ncnxnr Filed Nov. 29, 191s 'r sheets-Shen 1 iL- T 15-10-' N Patented Oct. 13, 1925i.

`.CLAUS srnEcxE-Lsor SAN ninemlinii HoWARn I. MORRIS, .oriios` ANGELES, caniromani;V SAID ivioiaars .assignee 'mofsiunsrnncxmis.

Tinniv'rniine MAGH'INE.

I.lppl-cationfiledNovember 29, 1:9158.'` fSi'erialiNo. 264,591.

To aZZ t0/rom it .may concern;

Beit `leu-ownithat We, fCa-,Aiis Siriinonnns and'HoWAnD I. Mounts, `both citizens foi the` United States, residing, respectivelygat San Diegmfin the county of San Diego and Stat-e ot' California, and `at Los Angeles, county of` Los Angeles,V and State foi' California, have invented newA and use-ful Improvements in Tire-Making Machines, of` which the flolloiving is a, specification.

This invention relates `to improvements in machines for inalni-ng pneumatic tires, f :par-

ticularly #the casings or :coverings for the inner tubes of pneumaticitiies, and resides in 'the yprovision of amachiiiieiof this character which is oit comparatively siiinpleand inexpensive cons'tnuction and' will operate to reduce lthe numberrofistepsand alterations usually required :in the manufacture fof tires by` machinery. i

AAn object of the invention :is fto :provide amachine of theV above 1named character, which Wi'llvprovide'for the buildin'gauip ott a tire to the stage which usuallg)r to that point lrequires fthe iuse of severalfldilifereritmachines, VWithout, removing or transferring the tire ffroni said finac'hine to another imachine.

In tire manufacturing :machines off altype which liswvell known-and Iin igeneralluse, a

spinning-down action iis Jrequired in making, the carcass. "This action requires the iuse oi` rolls which 'must be rotated and moved While rotatedin Contact with andiove'r the surface of the carcass, the control of said: rolls' -being `manuall'and requiring 4the constant iattendance and Watching` et' `a skilled operator. Machines of this type require a great deal-ottime Eior operation and said 4:spin-` iiingdo`ivn rolls Ado not provide der a regu-y Various imperfeci causes apremature 'breaking down for Wearing out :of the tire. `Other imperfections W-fill4 resultifrom these lapped joints.

The present invention aims to oeveiicome the objections above named, such @as hadxi-ii the 'iisegoit the `before-finentioned `type y'of tire-foaming machines, and :to ithesev ends consists in fthe provision y@of la tire-forming machine :in Which the spinning down action requiring the movable `irolls iis eliminated, etogether with `said rolls, and, iacmeans reliable, effect-ive., simple inconstructien, and involving ia different imode otfoperation, -is `provided in substitution therefor, the provision of 'such vmeansmakingyit lpossible to ina-nufacture :tires in a reliable, accurate, rinexpensive and effectiveananneriso ithatfithe guentestyperi'ection fobtaiiiable iin itire manuiactfar ing is, had. lVealso aim to increase` the eiiiciency of tire-making, `iinachines by feed-V ing the ifabric :oritire imate'rial `ef a {con-- ti'i'ruouslength; n Ln ,this rtv-ay `ldievlagp joints provided iin the henei'iiblefore described Wellknowin machines are eliminated andv the fad-v vantages `derivedfrein-the"utilizaten of a continuous lengthI `:of fabric or tire mate rial are, expeditiousness incmanutactuningi, the elimination, :of the i particular V'attent-ion orfuan eperator--orattendant, and the absolute prevention `:oi malformation of Athefcarcass, and .Nveakspots therein.

WVith the iaboive pandiotheri objects in view, the invention consists inthe novel and useful provision, formation, combination, ,rela--` tine arrangement, `and anode; ofioperiation :of

the severa-l Vparts, members `and teatures, aal-l,

as hereinafter described, show-n lin theidra-W- ings and pointed out in the appended claims. i i

In the drawings: Figure l represents eafront ielevation of a tire-forming rmachineconstructed in accord-i ance i With i Afthe Vpresent invention, said imachine as shown vembodying two identical or, inwother Words, being a constructions,

double machine Figure 22h-is a top planview of @the ima'-Vl chin'ef; i I

Fioiuref is fa vertical sectional viewtaken on lineas-w3 ofziFigure 1; .f

J'Figure 4 is an enlargedfdetail,fragmentary rse ctien all `-'view of a ip'art lof-the ini'acliiine showing ithe imeans for'rotating the cone,

the fabric feed means and a` part of the forming mechanism, illustrating its relation to said core;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, illustrating in detail the forming rolls for operation upon the sides and bead of a tire;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view in detail of the forming rolls shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top plan view partly in section of the main forming means and its associated parts, showing the core with the carcass thereon in section, and operatively associated withthe forming means;

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view, illustrating in detail the core supporting and holding means;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary top plan view, partly in section, of a portion of the drive means for the core, showing a part of said means in adjusted position in dotted lines;

Figure 10 is a view in elevation of the driving means and associated gearing therefor, particularly showing the clutch means, and the members for operating such clutch means; r v

Figure 11 isa fragmentary enlarged detail sectional view of one of the clutches.

The invention consists mainly in the provision of a rotating core A upon which the carcass is to be built or made up, an especially constructed forming means B, includingrolls forced under pressure into contact with the carcass, a secondary forming means Coo-operating with the means B and ada ted for forming the carcass adjacent to t e sides and, beads thereof, and other essential elements for operating theherein mentioned means and devices. f

Referring particularly to the drawings throughout the several views, of which like partsare designated by like characters, 1 designates the base structure of a suitable frame 2, upon both of which the various elements and devices of the machine are mounted and supported.

Naming the variousdevices and elements of the machine in the order of their importance and consideration in use, the core will come first, and, as shown, is supportedl to one side of the frame 2 upon adjustable supporting means or a spider 3. The core A upon its inner face is provided with a preferably V-shaped groove 4, into which the 'ends of adjustable supporting arms 5 engage. These arms k5 `are threaded into socket members 6 radiating from a hub 7 that is keyed to a horizontal shaft 8. The shaft 8 issupported in a suitable bearing 9, which is in the form of a housing, having suitable supporting connections with the frame 1. A reversing gear means 10 is mounted within the housing 9 and comprises beveled gears .11 and 12 loose on the shaft 8 and both meshing with a beveled pinion 13.

(See Fig. 8.) The pinion 13 drives the gears 11 and 12 and is keyed to a shaft 14 which extends at right angles to the shaft 8 from one side of the housing 9 within a tubular bearing 15. A clutch member 16 slidably mounted upon the shaft 8 is disposed between the gears 11 and 12 for cooperation with clutch faces 17 and 18 carried by said gears. A means 19 operable exteriorly of the housing 9 is provided to move the clutch member 16 into cooperation with the clutch faces 17 and 18.

The shaft 14, together with the tubular housing or bearing 15 therefor, extends into the frame 2 and cooperates with driving mechanism therein. An arm 2O is secured to the inner end of the bearingl, extends at right angles thereto, and at its outer end is lixedly mounted upon a stud shaft 21 which is rotatably mounted within a tubu-` lar bearing22 carried by the frame 2. The stud shaft 21 extends beyond the inner end of the bearing 22 and has a nut 23 turned and secured thereon. A part of the periphery of the nut is serrated or notched as at 24 and a spring pressed detent 25 pivoted, as at 26, upon the bearing 22 provides a means for holding or locking the stud 21 against rotation by engaging within the notches or serrations 24. The gear 27 is loosely mounted upon the stud shaft 21 at a point between the arm 2O and adjacent end ofthe bearing 22. This gear 27 meshes with a gear 28, which is fixed to the inner end of the shaft 14'. The gear 27 is driven by a gear 29 that is keyed to a sha-ft 30. The shaft30 is rotatably mounted within a bearing 31 carried by the frame 2 and has fixed thereto a beveled pinion 32, which meshes with a corresponding pinion 33 that is fixed tothe end of a shaft 34. The shaft-34 is mounted in a series of suitable bearings 35 and extends at'right angles to the shaft 30. A friction clutch means 36 is mounted upon the `shaft 34 and comprises a large rgear 37 and a smaller gear 38, both loosely mounted upon the shaft 34 and carrying pivoted fric-r tion dogs 39. Dogs 39 are adapted to be A: engaged by a friction member 40 that is splined lupon the shaft 34 and operated through a pivoted lever 41, which is connected therewith by a yoke 42. An operating rod 43 is pivotally connected with the lever 41V and is disposed at a point accessible to an attendant'or operator of the machine.

There is provided a means D for operating the various rotatable elements of the machine, which comprises a motor 44 that is mounted within a suitable supporting plate 45 uponv the frame 2. A drive gear 46 is fixed to vthe drive shaft 47 of the motor 44 and meshes with a gear 48 located above the shaft 47, upon the shaft 49. A pinion or gear 50 which is larger than ther gear 46 is keyed to the shaft 49. A pinion 51 is keyed to the 'shaft 49 and meshes with the lgear 37 of the `clutch 36. A smaliler lpinion-52 is fixed to the `shaft 49 and drives the larger pinion 38 of the clutch 2means236. It will be seen that =these `gears are constantly in mesh and that'in order to vary lthe Vspeed of rotationof the revolvable parts of the device, the `clutch means 36 is actuated. When 'the member 4() of the clutch `means 36 co-operates With the gear 37 so =as to rotate the shaft 34, a slow speed lis obtained, Whereas a *high speedl of rotation olf the parts iis obtained when the member 40 `is moved into yco-operation with the gear 38.

The elements `hereinbefore described comprise the means `for rotating the core A and for operating` the other revolving elements of the machine. The operation of zthis means in detail will be later described.

There is provided a means E for feeding` the tire fabric `to the core A which comprises ra -drum 53 having its trunnions 54 movably and rotatably imounted Within notches 255 of the frame 2. A suitable quantity of tire fabric 56 `is rolled upon the drum 53 :and to prevent the fabricjin the roll from sticking together a liner sheet `or stripk 57 is rolled with the material 56 so as to separate said material. The fabric 56 is passed under a tension roll 58 carried by theframe 2 and entends upwardly fand over a roll 59 corresponding :to lthe roll 58 and located above the latter. rFrom `the roll 59 the material rexte'nds under 'a ``larger roll 60 'and then over a correspondinglylarge roll 61,*and from thence to rthe means for forming the carcass `or'tire.` i These `rolls 58, 59, 60 andt'l are provided to cause the ma-` terial or fabric 56 to, be unro'lled land :fed to the means d3 under tension. The `liner strip for sheet 57 is `attached topa dnum 62 that is vertically adjustably `mountedasiat 63 upon the frame 2 above the drum r531and` disposed in contact with the periphery of the roll of `material56. `It Will'be seen that upon rotation of the roll 56 to `unreel the material `the drum 62 Willbe rotated andthe liner 57 Wound thereupon.

The means Bfor forming the carcass acts i to Work the fabric 56 on the core, as will,

be 'later fmore fully described. `This means comprises ia slidably or movably mountedY carriage 64 which is slidably tmo'unted asfat 65 `upon the base 1. There is provided a means F for shilftingor slidingithis carriage 64 upon the base `1 This means F may be manually or Votherwise operated `as desired, but preferably comprises fa. huid-operated piston 66 which is operatively mounted i ivithinthe cylinder67, and fixed to a ipiston rod 68. The rod 68 is secured to a lug 69 which depends from the carriage 64. An operating fluid is admitted to the Ycylinder 67 through a feed pipe 70. The feed pipe 7() is branched, providing,r pi'pes 71 'and 72 which communicate with the cylinder 67 points adjacent :to thecnds thereof. A `valve 73 constructed so `as to control *the passage of iiuid in said 'pipes to permit the entrance of :the fluid to `either end of the cylinder, is mounted within the pipe at the junctures ofthe branches thereof with `said pipe and is controlled by a rocking member 74 having pedals 75 and 76 at its ends.

Mounted Within a 4skeleton frame vor yoke 77 are forming rolls or discs 78, 79 and `88 thatare AIadapted to cooperate with the ycore A so as fto form the carcass upon said core. The frame 77 is supported in position, and the forming roll 78 and 79 uponk the frame are forced. under pressure into contact With the carcass on the core A, by a fluid-oper-y ated supporting means generally designated 80. To support this means 8() `in the kdesired position a link Y8O is employed, said link being connected to the 'adjacent structure 807 rof 'the frame 2 and Yto the frame 77. The means 80 comprisesa cylinder 8l which ispivoted as at`82 Within bearings 831mount edion the carriage 64. A piston 84 is opera tively mcuntedwithin the cylinder 8l :and saidwp'iston is fixed by a suitable fastening' element 85 to the frame or yoke 7:7. rflhe Working or operating lfluid 'for the means 80 is `admitted to the `lower end fof the `cylinder 8l by a pipe 86 lin communication Withsaid lower end of the cylinder and fany suitable means, not shown, may be provided to con trol. the ffluid passage to the cylinder and t-he operation of said means 80.

A shaft87 is Ajournaled `in the side-arms ofV the fframe .77, land `extendsacr-oss said `frame and rotatably lsupports the rolls 78 and 79. The lrolls are loosely mounted upon theshaft and a disc for forming roll l88 vof the same suitable yieldingmaterial as the rolls are comp-osedof such as rubber is interposed between said rolls `in engagement therewith. rllhe opposed faces Vof `the rolls adjacent vto the perip'heries thereofare out away 'to provide carcasssengaging and forming Afaces 89 and the. periphery fof the `disc 88 is concaved as at 90 so `that `the curvefof said concavity 'is vconcentric with the curve of the faces 8,9.` The rolls 78 and 79 together 'with f the disc 881pr'ovide the main Ytire-forming` element B and the curved portions 89 and 90 'forma concayity in theelement B Which is adapted to conform to 'the curvature of the core A andengage and Work the carcass into formation. The forming 'rolls 78 and 79 are iforced into intimate engagementwith the carcass by 'expansion usprings`9l and 92 which are mounted upon the shaft 87. At their outer ends these springs'abut bearings 93 4which areprovided for the shaft 87 and upon their rinner ends these springs :abut bosses `94 formed on the outer faces of annuflar plates 95. The plates 95 are `'mounted iupon 1the shaft 87 and engage the outer llO faces of the rolls 78 and 79. 1t will thus be seen that the rolls 78 and 79 are at all times forced towards one another so that the desired working action upon the carcass is provided. The resilient or yielding disc 88 disposed between the rolls 78 and 79 together with the resilient or yielding rolls 78 and 79 provides for the conformity ofthe carcassforming faces 89 and 90 to the carcass, and insures the proper working of said carcass during the entire forming operation. The radial pressure of the forming rolls upon the carcass that is provided by the means in combination with the side pressure of the rolls furnished by the springs 91 and 92 provides for a thorough, exact and uniform carcass working and forming action which results in the provision of a perfectly, accurately and expeditiously formed carcass. The disc 88 is keyed to the shaft 87 to rotate the shaft, as at 87a.

There is provided means designated 96 as an entirety for forcing said rolls 78 and 79 by fluid pressure to intimately engage the' sides of the carcass so as to insure a proper carcass working and forming action. This means comprises pressure rolls 97 and 98 mounted on opposite sides of the element B in contact with the rolls 78 and 79 respectively. Each of these rolls `is identical as to construction and is rotatably supported in a yoke 99 formed on the outer end of a piston 101. The piston 101 is operatively Imounted within the cylinder 102 which is carried by the frame 77. A fluid feed pipe 10S is connected with the cylinder 102 and provides for the introduction of a working fluid into the cylinder so as to force said piston 101 outwardly and cause the roller to bear against the outer face of its respective forming roll.

There is provided the means C for rolling or working in the sides of the carcass and for more sharply defining the beads thereof.

f This means comprises two devices operating on both sides of the core A. The frame 77 is provided with upward extensions 104 located on opposite sides of the means B. These extensions 1011` support the two devices comprising the means C and each of these devices comprises a cylinder 105 pivoted as at 106 to the extension 10/1. The piston 107 is operatively mountedy within the cylinder 105 and upon its outer end is provided with a fork or yoke 108. The rocking roll supporting member 109 is pivoted as at 110 intermediately of its ends and between the arms of the fork 108. This supporting member 109 at one end rotatably supports a forming roll 111 which is adapted to engage the side of the carcass adjacent to the bead and provides a rolling in action so as to thoroughly smooth out and work the carcass upon the sides thereof. This roll is disposed at an angle of approximately degrees to the longitudinal axis of the piston 107, and is also slightly angled to the path of rotation of the carcass, to cause a side slippage between the fabric and such roll 111 which exerts a constant stretching pull upon the fabric toward the bead. The ymember 109 is twisted or transversely formed so as to provide for this disposition of the roll 111. Upon its other end the member 109 rotatably supports a bead defining or working roll 112 that is provided with a compara-` tively sharp edge 113 which works the carcass around the bead and sharply defines the contour of the carcass adjacent thereto. This roll 113 is disposed approximately at right angles to the roll 111 so as to properly work the fabric or the carcass adjacent to the bead. The actuation of the piston 107 is caused by fluid which is admitted to the cylinder 105 by a pipe 114. When the piston 107 is forced outwardly the rolls 111 and 112 are forced into close engagement with the carcass and in being mounted upon a common support which is ypivoted intermediately of its ends will readily conform to the irregularities of the carcass and be acted upon with equal force. Any suitable means not shown may be provided to control the admission of operative fluid to the cylinder 105.

The frame 2 is provided with an extension 115 upon its upper side and a reel or drum 116 is rotatably mounted upon said `extension. This reel or drum is disposed so as to align with the core A and provides a means for retaining the vulcanizible material or tread to be applied to the carcass and for feeding said material to the core.

1n order to provide for the unreeling or feeding of the sheet or strip of fabric 56, under tension at a point prior to its contact with the core and for the purpose of causing a prestretching of said fabric so as to cause a pre-forming stretching action thereof there are provided sprocket wheels 117 and 118, the one 117 being secured tc the shaft 87 and the one 118 being secured to the roll 61. A chain 119 is rove around said sprockets and said chain and sprockets control the speed of rotation of said roll 61 causing said roll 61 to rotate ata slower rate of speed than the rate of speed of rotation of the periphery of said roll 88. This action it will be seen causes the strip or sheet of material 56 to be unreeled under tension and stretched as hereinbefore described.

n Theoperation, method of use and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoing disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the following description of the operation of the machine.

The core A having been properly centered relatively to the adjustable spider 3 through the manipulation of the arms 5 in their `as desired.

sockets 61; and the rolalof tire fabric 5.6, hav.- ing beenfwound around the sereraltension rolls 58, `59,1 60r and 61,` and extended over the member B. int@ Contact with. the core A, the machine is, ready for operation. VEhe end of the tire. fabric 56 is placed between thei core and; peripheries. of the rollls; 78,569 and 88 and Will adhere tothe surface of the core. Iny thisconnectienl it is to be noted that the `sheet""of material 56 'has Va bias Weave and when` the end of the strip is adhered to the core said strip or sheet is folded along. its longitudinal median line softhat portions of the sheet lie. on the sides o-for conformed to `the curva-ture of the. core. The strip Aor1 sheet o f material is under tension and this pull or tension upon the sheet causes it to. fold or partially assume a` 'cup or 'trough-like formation from a, point oyer the roll 61 to the core A.

The 1notor44 is operated from a suitable source of power notshown,l and rotatesthe gear t6 which, in turn rotates the gear 4.8.on the shaft/419. Theshaft 49. carries the gears 51 and 52 which respectively mesh. With the small and large gears 38' and 8T the shaft The beveled pinion 38 is fixed to the?` shagft 34 and meshes 'With the pinion 32 on the shaft 30', the rotation of Which shaft 30. im,- parts rotation to the shaft 14 thru the gears 27 and. 28. .'lihe shaft 14 through the re Verse gearingl, rotates the spider o'rcore support 3, andcauses the core A to rotate The speed of rotatio'n of the coremay-"be regulated to stuit the particu;- lar operation of 'the machine and the 'cond-itions. concurrent With suchoperation bythe proper manipulation of. the rod? i3 Which operates thelclutChBG through the medium of the lever 431. rllhe sliding clutch member 40 of the clutch 86 maybe mov'ed either into engagement with the friction, dogs 39 of the gea-r 38:01' the dogs `39-of thegear 37. and depending'ufpon the positionof this member l0 the gear ratiov and subsequent speedv of rotation of the 'core is determined. Then the clutch 'member' Zl() is' engaged with the dogs 39 of the gear 38` rotationis transmit.J ted tothe shaft 34 through thegear 46 to the larger gear 5t), the 'shaft 49, and gear 51;, which mesh With the gear S8. It `Wil-l thus be' seen that since the gears 51 and 38 are approximately the same size andthe gear 50 is larger than either ofthe gears 51 or 38 that the Speed of rotationof the shaft 254, and consequently the core A. Willi be greater when; the* member 4.0."is in Cooperation with the gear 38. Inasmuch as said member 40 is in cooperation with thegearr 37 said. gear is driven-by thez small pinion 52 and low gear ratiois thus provided.

By ymanipulating the operating means 19 in the proper inanner'the clutch member 16 may bei moved intocoopera-tio-n with the desiren. gear as t9 provide rotatn olf the core A in one direction or the other.y It WillI seen that with this mechanism the .directionrof rotationI o f the core inlay be reversed at any desired-'tithe during the tire-fo`r`1ning operation ofthe machine.

yAs the'core A rotatesA the direction of the arrowKA sllionn in Figure 4 ofthe draw. ings, which 'direction is `counter-clookwise the' sheet oxistijip. of thefiiabric 56j. is Wound,y upon said cored` TheI liner` stripi 57. which prevents `the fabric' in the froll froln sticking' together, at the sett-,ing of the machine OI? operation 'is `attached to. the-drum 62 and will be Wound `upon lsaid drum' duri-ng the unree'ling, action of the.' fabric. This'fwindingu-p, of the lstrip ftdis caused-bythe contact ofthe roll 62 with the periphery "of the roll olf fabric.` i At-'the time ofV the adhering: of; the fab. ric to the core Af duringthe commencement of the tireunaking operation, the carriage 64 has been. moved Pinto. operative positionys'o as to` dispose forming lmeansf` B f into Operar tive relationwifththe core. lThis extension of the ycarriage 64 is caused by lthe means F, theL control ofwhich is-provided by rocker member T4; carryingV the pedals` 7 5 and 76. Ey pressing the pedal 7,6 the working fluid is admitte'dto the left end of thecylinder 67 and forces the piston 66 and rod- 68to the right. This'moitementof the; rod causes the carriageA 64EK to bel extended into operativeipov sition, said "carriage sli-dingY upon the base 1." The rcarriage 64. isextended or `rnoye'd forwardly untilA the forming'rolls Z8, and 79 of the! means B comeinto contact'f with the fabric being applied` and; Wound upon the core `A Vand the 'carriage'is thus yieldingly held extenfded or moved forward-niederthe pressure of thewoltingiluid inthe cylinder 67 to such. an extent that the r'olls? 8 and 'Z9 and 88 forcibly andA yieldablybear upon? the fabric. andiproduoe a Working down'smoothingaction thereupon, causing said-'fabric to be"` thoroughly stretched 'and toV coitflmlto the contour of the core A. The pressing or smoothing out action of `the Arollingdown members` or fbrming `ro'llsft and` T79, is?` accentuated by the `means Y8 0? Thenwoi'lcing fluid yfrom` the" pipe2r 86 is 'admitteilt'Y- to the'cylinderfSl v4of saidy meansjSO and the ,piston84` which isdirectly.connected` with` the' frame" 7,? supporting the" rolls 78 and 7.9a`nd 8 8` is 'morecl'f outwardly. The radial yieldable; pressure@ 'proyided in this manner `insures the forcible: Working of thefformlingrolls u; on tliercarcassi"This pressure2 will benialntained asvlong as the worleing fluidis operating `Within the cylinder 81 and may be. varied or regulatedto suit the conditions of ope-ration of th'e machine. The link or oonne'ctioIrSO.l provides for the proper 'disposition ofthe means "B relatively to the core at all times.

The springs 9 2 forcing" the forming rolls yieldable 78 and 79 towards one another cause the carcass-'forming faces 89 of said rolls to press forcibly upon the fabric of the carcass being built up on the core. The yieldable disc88 between the rolls permits of this pressing action produced by the springs 91 and 92 and as said disc has a concaved periphery which will conform to the'cu'rvature of the carcass, said disc` will aid the rollsin the working downor forming action. The means 96 aids the springs 91 and 92 in their pressing action upon the forming rolls and may be operated by allowing the working fluid to enter the cylinders 102. lVhen this is done the pistons 101 are extended and press the rolls 97 yand 98 into forcible engagement with the outer faces of said rolls adjacent to the peripheries thereof. In this connection' it will be vnoted that these rolls 78 and 79 extend past points which are approximately 'midway of" the sides of the core or carcass thereon, said'rolls terminating at points but slightlydistant from the beads or edges of the carcass. The

' degree of pressure of said rolls 97 and 98 may be varied as desired by the pressure of the working rfluid* which is admitted to the cylinders 102 and the control of said working-'fluid may be had in any suitablemanner not shown.

In order toprovide for the working down or rollingdown action of the carcass from the point where the action of the means B including the rolls 78 and 79 and the disc 88 terminates, the means Gis provided. To operate the means C the working fluid is'admitted from the pipes 114 to the 'cylinders 105' causing the piston 107 to be extended towards the carcass and-"the rolls111 and l112 which'are connected with said piston to be pressed, are forced into engagement with the sides of the carcass. The roll 111 rolls down or works the carcass at the points of the sides thereof where the working-effect of the means B terminates and roll 112 works around the top of the bead as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings' so as to'y more clearly define said bead von thecarcass. It will be noted that the lrolls 111 and 112 are carried upon the ends ofthe rocking member 109 which is pivoted at 110' to the piston 107.v This construction provides for an equalizing action relative to the rolls and insures a thorough working of the carcass.

The fabric is wound as hereinbefore described, upon `the coreA A, each winding being carefully worked down and conformed to the shape of the core. The pre-stretching and pre-forming action provided as hereinbefore described, facilitates an expeditious working down action, and the various working down and 'forming members, namely, ythe rolls 78,88, 79, 97, 98, 111 and 112 may be forced 'as desired into operative contact with the carcass :through the medium of the pneumatic or fluid operated forcing means provided therefor. In this connection it will be noted that the fluid operated means may be controlled from a single controlling element or master control, not shown, if desired, so as to eliminate stops in the operation of the machine as an entirety. Aftelthe completion of thecarcass the pedal is depressed and the fluid will be causedto enter the other end of the cylinder 67 and retract the piston and rod so as to withdraw the carriage 64 and forming means B and C carried thereby. The operation of the machine is otherwise stopped, and if any other steps in the making of the tire arenecessary prior to the treading thereof, or if it is desirous to dispose of the tire in a different position the spring-pressed detent 25 is released so that the stub shaft 21 carrying the right angularly extending arm 20 may be turned. Since the arm 20 is connected with the tubular bearing 4l5 for the lshaft 14 the core carrying the carcass may be turned from vertical to lhorizontal position lorto any other positions between verticalv and horizontal and retained in such position by allowing the detent 25 to engage the serrations 24 and again lockv the shaft 21 and parts attached thereto against rotation.

lVthout moving the carcass from the core A the treading action may be carried out. In this event the tread material.y notshown, is carried upon the reel116, and since said reel aligns with the core when the latter is in vertical position the said treading action will be greatly facilitated.

With reference to the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, it will be seen that vthere is provided a machine for forming or making pneumaticvtires yin which the forming and 'making action embodies an entirely new vmode of operation as comparedtothe known modes of operation in the art of buildingor making tires. One of the essential advantages of the invention is that the spinning down action such as employed in the present-day machines and which requires the unerring skill` of an operator, the employment of comparatively complicated associated elements of construction and which ofttimes proves inaccurate and undesirable and faulty, is eliminated, and a positive simply constructed and reliable working-down ror forming means substituted therefor.

Another essential feature of the invention is that the fabric prior to its' application to the core is pre-stretched and preA formed, resulting in an accurate and expeditious application thereof to the core, or a reliable, accurate and expeditious workingdown action.

A further essential feature of the invention is to provide a continuous length of tire fabr@ ,O f ,materalso that lapped joints such 1" lll) as are usually formed in thebuilding of a carcass with machines heretofore, are eliminated, and time and labor are saved in the manufacturingof a tire, and all possibility of malformation and resultant premature Wearing-out or brealling` down of the tire are prevented.

Having `thus disclosed our invention, We claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat'- ent:

1l. In attire makingmachine, the combination witha revoluble core, of means for feedingtire material to the core, tread forming means, a frame supporting'y the tread fornr ingr means in operative relation to the core, rocking members carried by the frame at the sides of the core, and bead and tire forming rolls carried by the said rocking members in a balanced relation to each other.

2. 'In a machine of the character described` the combination with a core, of means for revolving the core, means for feeding tire materialv to the core, a frame movable toward and away from the core, shaping means car-- ried by the frame for engaging one zone of the tire material on the core, a rocking; member carried by lthe frame, and additional shapingfmeans carried by the rocking1 member'in a balanced relation to each other and engaging anotl'ierzone of the `tire material.

3. In a tire making machine, the combi-ngation with a revoluble core, of means for feeding tire material to the core, a frame movable toward and away freni the core, and ai sideforming roll and a bead forming` roll carried by the frame and rockably mounted in a balanced relation to each other.

4. In a tire making' machine, the combination with a revolubleV core, of means for `feeding` tire material to the core, a frame, a rocking member pivoted intermediate of lits ends upon the frame, a forming roll cai'- iiedby one end of the rockingmembenanfrl a bead forming` roll carried by the opposite end of the rockingmember in a balanced relation to the forming roll.

5. In a tire making" machine, the coinbiiiation With a ievoliiblecore, o-f means for feeding tire material to thecore, a frame, arocking member piyoted 4intermediate of its ends yupon the frame, a forming` 'roll carried by one eii'd of the rocking member, and a bead forming roll arranged at substantially right angles tothe forming roll and carried by the opposite end of the rocking member in a balanced relation to the forming roll.

6. In a tire making machine, the combination with a ievoluble core, of means for feeding tire material to the core, a frame, al rocking member pivoted intermediate of its ends upon the frame, a forming roll carried by one end of the rocking member, and a bead forming roll carried by the vof rotation to the core to produce side slippage between Vthe tire material and; the rolls.

7. In a machine of the character disclosed,

a core upon VWhiclia tire may be built, means to apply tire material to the core, means to` rotate the co-re, and means for engaging and forming material applied to thefcere comprising' independent outer and intermediate yieldable forming' rolls mounted toA turn on the :same axis, and means for supporting the formingl rolls, allA of said rollshaving` faces for engagement with the material applied to the core.

8; In a machine of the character disclosed, a core upon which a tire may be built, means to apply Vtire materialto the core, means to rotatethe core, and means fo-rengagriiig and formingl material applied to the core, com. prisingl independent outer and intermediate yield'able forming` rolls, means for supperr i ing` the forming rolls, all of said rolls hav` ing faces for engagen'ient Withi the material applied tothe core, and' means toyieldingly force the tire-forming rolls together.

9. In a machine of thecharacter disclosed,

a core upon `which a. tiremay be built, means to apply tire material to thel e'ore, means t0 rotate the core, and means for engaging and forming material applied -tothe core, comprising` independent outer and intermediateforn'iing` rolls, means for supporting the forming' rolls all of said rolls having faces for engagement. with the material ap plied to the core, means to yieldingly force thetire-f'o-rining; rolls together, and means for yieldingly forcing the rolls towards the i0. Ina machine of the character disclosed, afcoi'e upon which a tire may be built, means for applying and foriiiing'itii'e fabric upon the core coii'iprisinnl indel-ieilident outer and intermediate formingrolls disposed for cngagement with the fabric applied to thel core, a shaft for supporting said rolls, means for forcing said rolls towards each other, and means for n'iovingl said rolls to- Wardsand away from the core acting to hold said rolls in yieldable engagement with the fabric upon the core during the operation of the machine.'

ll. In a machine `of the character disclosed, acore upon which a tireinay be built, means to apply tire material to the core, means to rotate the core, resilient forming rolls adapted for engagement with that portion kof the material` upon the core over which the tread is to be disposed, a frame for supporting saidrolls, pressure rolls disposed on opposite sides of the core and en gaging the outer faces of certain of the first named rolls to force said rolls into operative contact with the material upon the core, and yielding means normally urging the frame to force si id pressure rolls into operative position.k

12. In a machine of the character disclosed, a core, means to rotate the core, means to apply tire material yto the core, a shaft, a frame supporting the shaft, resilient tire-forming rolls mounted upon the shaft, all of said rolls having arcuate carcass-forming faces for engagement with the material applied to the core, and means mounted upon the shaft and tending to force said forming rolls together; one of said rolls being fast upon said shaft.`

13. In a machine of the character disclosed, a core upon which a tire may be built, means to rotate the core, means to apply tire material to the core, a frame, means carried by the frame to engage and form that portion of the material upon the core over which the tread is to be disposed, rocking members pivoted intermediate of their ends with the frame, and forming rolls mounted upon certain ends of the rocking members and disposed for engagement with those portions of the material upon the core, not engaged by the firsty named forming means, and bead forming rolls mounted upon the other ends of the rocking members.

14. In a machine of the character disclosed, a core upon which a tire may be built, means to rotate the core, means to apply tire material to the core, a frame, means carried by the frame to engage and form that portion of the material upon the core over which the tread is to be disposed, rocking members pivoted intermediate of their ends with the frame, and forming rolls mounted upon certain ends of the rocking members and disposed for engagement with those portions of the material upon the core not engaged by the first named forming means, bead forming rolls mounted upon the other ends of the rocking members,

pistons with which said rocking members are pivotally connected, cylinders receiving said pistons, and means for supplying an elastic Huid to the cylinders to move said pistons outwardly and yieldingly force the rolls into operative contact with the material upon the core.

15. In a machine of the character disclosed, a core upon which a tire may be built, means to apply tire material to the core, means to rotate the core, a main frame structure for said machine, a carriage slidably mounted upon the frame structure, means for moving said carriage towards and away from the core, a cylinder pivoted upon said carriage, a piston slidable within the cylinder, means to supply operating fluid to the cylinder toforce the piston outwardly towards the core, means to engage and form -members, a shaft supporting said disc the material applied to vthe core, a frame for said means connected with said piston and a link pivotally connected with the main frame structure and said last named frame to support the frame and forming means thereon in a proper position for operation.

16. A. tire-forming machine comprising, a frame,` a core rotatably mounted upon the frame, means to rotate the core, means to apply tire fabric to the core, forming rolls for engaging that portion of thematerial .upon the core over which the tread is to be disposed, a frame supporting said forming rolls, means to yieldingly force said frame and forming rolls into engagement with the material upon the tire, means for supporting and moving said last named means towards and away from the core, other tireforming rolls rockingly connected with the last named frame and disposed for engagement with that portion of the material not engaged by the first named rolls, and means for yieldingly forcing the last named rolls into engagement with the material on the core.

17. A tire-forming machine comprising a frame, a core rotatably mounted upon the frame, means to rotate the core, means to apply tire fabric to the core, forming'rolls for engaging that portion of the material upon the core over which the tread is to be disposed, a frame supporting said forming rolls, means to yieldingly force said frame and forming rolls into engagement with the material upon the tire, means for supporting and moving said last named means towards and away from the core, other tireforming rolls roclringly connected with the last named frame and disposed for engagement with that portion of the material not engaged by the first named rolls, means for yieldingly forcing the last named rolls into engagement with the material on the core, and bead-forming rolls rockingly connected with the last named frame and a rocking member common to said last named rolls and the second named rolls.

18. In a machine of the character disclosed, a core upon which a tire may be built, and means for engaging and forming tire material to be applied to the core; said means comprising three independent disc members, a shaft supporting said disc members, one of said disc members being keyed to said shaft, and means for rotating said shaft.

19. In a machine of the character disclosed, a core upon which a tire may be built, and means for engaging and forming tire material to be applied to the core; said means comprising three independent disc members, one of said disc members being keyed to said shaft, and means for rotating said shaft; said disc members being recessed to form a concavity for reception of the core member.

20. In a tire-mal ing machine, the combination with a revoluble core, of means for feeding tire material to the core, a frame movable toward and away from the core, and a tire-forming roll and a bead-forming roll carried by the frame and rockingly mounted in a balanced relation to each other; one of said rolls being mounted in an angled position to the path of rotation of the core, and the other of said rolls being disposed at approximately right angles to the first roll.

21. In a tiremaliing machine, the combination With a revoluble core, of means for feeding tire material to the core, a frame movable toward and away from the core, and a tire-forming roll and a bead-forming roll carried by the frame and rocliingly mounted in a balanced relation to each other; one of said rolls being mounted in an angled position to the path of rotation of the core, and the other of said rolls being disposed at approximately right angles to the first roll, said last named roll beingl provided With a sharp edge portion for engagement With the tire material to sharply define the same around the bead.

22. In a machine of the character disclosed, a core upon which a tire may be built, means to supply tire fabric to the core, means to rotate the core, means for forming the fabric on the core, and other forming means disposed for engagement with the fabric adjacent to the edges thereof; said last named forming means comprising rolls set each at an angle to the path of rotation of the core to produce side. slippage as bctWeen the fabric and such latter forming rolls and consequent stretch of the fabric toward the extreme edges thereof, and a roizking member carrying the last mentioned ro ls.

In testimony whereof, We have signed our naines to this specification.

CLAUS SPRECKELS. HOWARD I. MORRIS. 

